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yesterday

Century-Old Mazar Demolished at Dehradun Hospital Following Complaint

The Uttarakhand government’s nighttime demolition of the disputed structure has drawn backlash from the Waqf Board and opposition leaders over its legality and communal implications.

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Screengrab of a social media video.

Overview

  • A joint state task force demolished a mazar at Government Doon Medical College and HospitalDehradun on the night of April 25–26, 2025, following a complaint lodged via the Chief Minister’s Helpline.
  • Authorities determined the structure was illegally constructed on government land after a review of land-use documents by multiple departments.
  • The Uttarakhand Waqf Board disputes the demolition, claiming the mazar was a registered, century-old burial site of Sufi saint Baba Kamaal Shah, and has sought intervention from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
  • Opposition leaders, including Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana, criticized the overnight operation as an act of communal intolerance and questioned the government’s motives.
  • The action is part of a broader state campaign that has removed over 600 illegal religious structures since 2023, raising concerns about heritage preservation and communal tensions.